Definition

This is a birth defect of the penis. The defect involves the urethra. The urethra is the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body so that urine can exit.

With hypospadias, the opening of the urethra develops on the underside of the penis. Normally, the opening is at the tip. Sometimes, other defects of the penis are also present. For example, the penis may have an abnormal downward curve. This is called
chordee
.

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), National Guideline Clearinghouse. Hypospadias: guidelines in pediatric urology. AHRQ National Guideline Clearinghouse website. Available at:
http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=47872. Published March 2009. Accessed September 30, 2014.

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